5s hit league leaders for 6 to go top

The 5s didn’t let a week off and Halloween get in the way of their recent good form, as they dusted off the cobwebs and put in a spook-takular performance beating the league’s early-season leaders by 6 ghouls to 1. A result that puts Sonning 5s back to the top of the table.

On what was a beautiful, late-October afternoon, the 5s took on the league leaders hoping to dent their 100% record. During the early exchanges it was clear that Newbury&Thatcham had the ability to break with pace, with some early visits to Sonning’s D and carved-out a couple of decent chances. However, it was Sonning that struck first as Ed Goodall slotted home from a fang-tastic short corner routine. And it wasn’t long until the 5s were 2-up, as Ben Berryman picked up the ball on the halfway line, ghosted past the opposition midfield and defence and then finished sweet-ly.

N&T were spooked, but fought their way back into the game with a period of sustained pressure that was well soaked up by the 5s defence, but eventually the pressure told and N&T scored following a short corner. The 5s managed to restore the 2-goal lead before half-time as Elliott Weiss poked the ball home.

The second half started the same way the first had finished with Sonning looking the better side – solid in defence and threatening up front - but lost their captain to injury after a few minutes. However, this didn’t dent their spirit and they continued to press. The next goal was going to be crucial to the path of the match, and Sonning got it when Andy Barrett beat the keeper at the second attempt. The teams then alternated periods of play with 10 men due to various indiscretions. As the game neared its death, both Ed Goodall and Andy Barrett scored their second goals – the final nails in the Newbury & Thatcham coffin.

Personal highlights: scoring my 1st and 2nd goals in competitive hockey.
Personal lowlights: being subbed off before the match had even started (thanks to Hadders’ late arrival and a long delay while the umpires gaffa-taped the goal back together.)

By Andy Barrett